The team was left to replace sack leader Jachai Polite, leading tackler Vosean Joseph, team leader CeCe Jefferson and do-everything defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson following an MVP performance in the Peach Bowl.

Defensive line coach Sal Sunseri’s departure to Alabama and cornerbacks coach Charlton Warren’s jump to Georgia then left head coach Dan Mullen with two staff hires to make amid the final push on the recruiting trail.

But when the dust settled Wednesday during National Signing Day, the Gators had the potential to field a defense even more disruptive, multi-faceted and productive as a 2018 group that yielded an average of just 20 points per game.

The Gators added some key pieces Dec. 19 during the early signing period, including cornerback Chris Steele and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper – a pair of top-100 recruits – and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, the nation’s No. 109 overall prospect. Defensive tackle Jaelin Humphries and end Lloyd Summerall were welcome additions to the front seven.

On Wednesday, the Gators then added three top defenders, each with star potential – cornerback Kaiir Elam, along with linebackers Khris Bogle and Diwun Black. This trio, as well as those early signees, address UF’s future at cornerback, the team’s lack of playmaking linebackers and the pass rush.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Black and 6-foot-2, 197-pound Hopper are especially intriguing, while personifying Mullen’s blueprint on defense. Each played multiple positions in high school, showcasing their abilities to cover, tackle and rush the passer.

“One of the things we look for is where do you add position flexibility,” Mullen said. “You don't want to be locked in that you can only play one player, you don't know where our needs are for the team, where we think this – we might – we're not always perfect in recruiting, where especially you look at guys that are great athletes and we say, OK, I project this guy to play this position. Right? And he comes and he's not very good at the one you thought he would be, but he's really good at something that you didn't, maybe you didn't think he would be at.

“So position flexibility is huge. And then the other part of position flexibility, it allows you to create matchup problems.”

The Jan. 9 addition of Louisville graduate transfer pass rusher Jon Greenard gives the Gators’ coaching staff some leeway, too. Greenard might not fully replace Polite as a pass rusher, but the dropoff will be much less severe. So, too, will be the learning curve for young pass rushers like Bogle, Diabate or Summerall.

“We think those guys are going to have bright futures,” Mullen said of the three freshmen. “But in the immediate they haven't been through it at this level and hopefully they are going to be able to make an immediate impact with us when they get here. But you're talking about a guy that has shown that he can do it at this level and is going to be ready to go play when we kick off the season next year.

“That's really an important addition for us.”

Two of Mullen’s biggest additions in recent weeks will never see the field.

When Sunseri and Warren bolted, Mullen hired a pair of assistant coaches who could be upgrades on their predecessors.

Luring away former assistant Torrian Gray from the Washington Redskins gives the Gators a cornerbacks coach who oversaw a UF secondary that led the nation in pass defense efficiency and allowed just eight touchdowns in 2016.

In the wake of Warren’s departures, UF cornerbacks CJ Henderson and Marco Wilson immediately pitched Mullen on Gray, who had recruited both players and coached Wilson’s older brother, Quincy.

“I've never been in a situation where we lose a coach and basically every player on the team starts texting me, ‘Is there any way we can go hire this guy?’” Mullen said.

Unlike Gray, Turner was Mullen’s immediate target, having worked with him twice at Mississippi State – in 2009 and 2013-15. Turner spent last season at UT-San Antonio under close friend Frank Wilson. Previously, Turner coached in the SEC since 2002, with stints at five different schools.

“I've had him on my staff before,” Mullen said. “I know his ability to go out and recruit top talent. I know his ability to develop that and coach it.”

The potential is there, but the Gators’ defense still has a lot to prove in order to replace some key losses and field another top unit.

Gray is optimistic. He coached four NFL second-round picks during his one season in Gainesville – Marcus Maye, Jalen Tabor, Duke Dawson and Quincy Wilson – and sees plenty of similarities.

“These guys are a little less experienced, but from a talent standpoint you’re barking up the right tree,” Gray said. “I’m excited about that.”

CAPTION

UF coach Dan Mullen seeks players who have position flexibiliy and the ability to create mismatches. Defensive signees Diwun Black and Ty'Ron Hopper each played multiple positions in high school and have the size, speed and skills to give the Gators options.

UF coach Dan Mullen seeks players who have position flexibiliy and the ability to create mismatches. Defensive signees Diwun Black and Ty'Ron Hopper each played multiple positions in high school and have the size, speed and skills to give the Gators options.

CAPTION

UF coach Dan Mullen seeks players who have position flexibiliy and the ability to create mismatches. Defensive signees Diwun Black and Ty'Ron Hopper each played multiple positions in high school and have the size, speed and skills to give the Gators options.

UF coach Dan Mullen seeks players who have position flexibiliy and the ability to create mismatches. Defensive signees Diwun Black and Ty'Ron Hopper each played multiple positions in high school and have the size, speed and skills to give the Gators options.

CAPTION

UF coach Dan Mullen discusses the Gators' top-10 recruiting class.

UF coach Dan Mullen discusses the Gators' top-10 recruiting class.

CAPTION

UF coach Dan Mullen said former Louisville star Jonathan Greenard's decision to join the Gators as a graduate transfer will help the team's pass rush immediately, while some other players get up to speed.

UF coach Dan Mullen said former Louisville star Jonathan Greenard's decision to join the Gators as a graduate transfer will help the team's pass rush immediately, while some other players get up to speed.